John S. Wright: Prophet of the Prairies.
Chicago: The Prairie Farmer Publishing Company, 1941. Hardcover. Small 4to. Blue cloth with gilt lettering. viii, 215pp. Illustrations, map endpapers. Very good. Item #28638
A tight, clean and superb first edition of this biography of the noted Chicago business and civic leader (1815-74)-- and bearing a scarce signature and inscription from Lewis (1891-1949), reknowned Chicago journalist, editor and historian, in black ink on half-title page: "For Joe Ryerson / in whose great collection / of Chicagoiana I am very / proud to have this little / volume stand. / Lloyd Lewis / Jan 30, 1921." Opposite this is the custom Chicago bookplate of Joseph T. Ryerson, of the old-time Chicago steel company. Wright founded the "Prairie Farmer," the highly influential Midwest agricultural force, in 1841. Inscribed copies of this volume are very seldom encountered.
Price: $75.00